Watch out for these 3 common medical malpractice issues

A medical error may prove costly in many ways. When it comes to protecting yourself or someone, you care for, having a general idea of common malpractice issues may help.

Medical negligence is an unfortunate issue throughout the state. While not all mistakes rise to malpractice, those that prove avoidable may. When a medical provider or facility fails to abide by a standard of care and engages in risky or reckless behavior, the result may leave you in poor condition. Familiarize yourself with three common examples of medical malpractice.

1. Prescription errors

When you go to the hospital for help, you do not expect to wind up feeling worse. However, one of the most negligent acts a hospital may commit is administering the wrong drugs. You may have an allergy that the medical staff does not note on the chart. Drug interactions also occur and may prove dangerous to your recovery.

2. Diagnostic misfires

Some medical conditions take time to diagnose. If a doctor does not proceed down the standard testing path, you may not receive the proper diagnosis and related treatment. A delay in treatment for cancer or a chronic condition may exacerbate the condition.

3. Surgical mishaps

Negligence in the operating room may yield catastrophic results. A doctor may operate on the wrong body part, or the surgery itself may prove unwarranted in another surgeon’s opinion. Surgical tools and materials left inside your body may cause infection and several follow-up procedures to rectify.

Medical missteps may alter your quality of life. Having an idea of what may qualify as malpractice may spur you towards taking the action you and your family need to move forward.